Women, youth empowerment initiative earns CRDB’s Mwambapa continental award
What you need to know:
- Ms Mwambapa, who also serves as director of Corporate Affairs and Public Relations at CRDB Bank Group, received the award at the African Iconic Women Recognition Awards held in Lagos, Nigeria
Dar es Salaam. CRDB Bank Foundation’s managing director, Tully-Esther Mwambapa, has been named Iconic Empowerment Personality of the Year in recognition of her transformative work in empowering women and youth.
Ms Mwambapa, who also serves as director of Corporate Affairs and Public Relations at CRDB Bank Group, received the award at the African Iconic Women Recognition Awards held in Lagos, Nigeria.
According to a statement issued by CRDB Bank over the weekend, Ms Mwambapa was honoured alongside President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who received the Imperial Honour for African Iconic Global Leadership of the Year.
She was recognised for her commitment to empowering women and youth through inclusive and innovative financial solutions.
Under her stewardship, the CRDB Bank Foundation has championed impactful initiatives such as the iMbeju programme, which has reached over 800,000 women and youth within its first year.
The initiative provides training, mentorship, financial literacy, and seed funding to aspiring entrepreneurs across the country.
With over 23 years of experience in the banking industry, Ms Mwambapa has been instrumental in designing pioneering financial products and services that promote inclusion.
Her current role at the Foundation continues to drive socio-economic transformation through a model that integrates financial access with developmental impact.
The recognition comes at a symbolic moment, coinciding with the 30th anniversaries of both the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action—a landmark global commitment to advancing women’s rights—and CRDB Bank’s establishment.
The award also underscores CRDB Bank’s standing as one of the continent’s leading institutions in promoting inclusive finance, gender equity, and sustainable development.
Ms Mwambapa was selected from a distinguished field of African female leaders, including Ms Odunayo Sanya (CEO, MTN Foundation), Ms Bola Atta (CEO, UBA Foundation), Ms Osayi Alile (CEO, Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation), Ms Somachi Chris-Asoluka (CEO, Tony Elumelu Foundation), and Ms Clare Akamanzi (CEO, Rwanda Development Board).
Reacting to the accolade, Ms Mwambapa said: “It is truly an honour to be named Iconic Empowerment Personality of the Year, especially alongside Her Excellency President Samia Suluhu Hassan, whose leadership continues to inspire us all.”
She added that the recognition was a tribute to the women and youth she serves through the CRDB Bank Foundation.
“It reminds me that when we invest in people’s potential, we build stronger communities and a more inclusive future for Tanzania and Africa at large,” she said.
